Title: Savanna’s Treasure
Author: C. Behrens
Publisher: Pen It Publications
ISBN: 2nd Edition Coming Soon!
Pages: 132
Genre: Children’s Literature
Reviewed by: Lily Amanda
Hollywood Book Reviews
For an author to venture into the animal world to forge a story that is not only entertaining and educative but also one which readers can relate to, special artistry and finesse are key. The author has to place himself in both the mind of the animal and the child. This undoubtedly requires keen research and virtuosic skills. Award-winning author C. Behrens offers young readers and adults alike an intrepid text that teaches big, bold lessons we humans can adopt in our own lives in his beautiful and heartwarming story, Savanna’s Treasure.
Emblazoned with unsparing vision and lush descriptions, Savanna’s Treasure chronicles the adventure of Shamba, a field mouse, and Kali, a young elephant who had spent all their lives in the Serengeti Savanna in the African region. Shamba and his mouse friend Panya, had been living in an American zoologist’s campsite before it was invaded and burnt down by three ruthless poachers, Snake, Gunz, and Bones when the two field mice were out on a stroll. With no sign of Sarah, the zoologist, and having lost track of Panya’s whereabouts, Shamba flees the campsite for fear of getting caught by the poachers.
He encounters a young elephant named Kali and her elephant family who help him to move to a place of safety, away from the approaching poachers. However, more dangers lurk ahead as readers will soon realize upon reading further as Shamba and Kali meet more animal friends, realizing that all the Serengeti animals have one goal in mind; staying alive.
Behrens has written a story full of heart. Most children’s books with animal characters tend to be dull and lack sufficient depth. Not so with Behrens’ book. His characters are well-wrought and their personalities and temperaments leap out of the pages with no struggle. They complement and support each other in their adventures, nurturing the lesson of helpfulness and meaningful friendships among children. Further, the author’s eye for detail is unerring with remarkably sharp action scenes. The text also uses anthropomorphic elements masterfully faulting the often misinterpreted saying that only the strongest survive.
This innovative analogy is sure to charm young readers, additionally developing empathy and love for every human form. The feather in the cap of this beautiful tale is how the book surrenders itself to adorable animals which run the tale sublimely along with the neat illustrations that accentuate the storyline superbly.
Overall, Savanna’s Treasure by C. Behrens is a sure-fire and a text bound to inspire its target audience at every turn.